dog

[candy]

the name of the first dog to enter the house of commons

[sddsddean]

Probably Lucy (David Blunketts previous guide dog). Can't think of any other blind MP's (and if that isn't a feed line, I don't know what is!!)

[smudge]

Now now!

[bernardo]

I do know that there have definitely been a few blind MPs before (I have a list somewhere but I can't find it) but David Blunkett is the first one to use a guide dog. DB has been an MP since 1987, so I think he probably had at least one guide dog before Lucy - they only have a working life of about 8 to 10 years, so Lucy must have started after 1987 because she retired only a year or two ago.

It is, of course, possible that there may be a completely different answer other than guide dogs. How about rescue dogs after the House of Commons was bombed in WW2?

[woofgang]

historically, lap dogs might have been carried into the chamber much earlier. One of their uses (allegedly) was to attract fleas off people and on to themselves.

[maxi29]

I think DB's guide dog before Lucy was called Sadie.

[bernardo]

No; Sadie is DB's current guide dog. Lucy was before Sadie. Anyway, in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph there is an article about David Blunkett which specifically says

"When he speaks of his succession of guide-dogs, he savours most of their moments of minor mischief, such as the time that Teddy - the first dog allowed on the floor of the Commons - visited the Kinnocks, and guzzled the food belonging to their cat."